"Richard Kaplan" wrote in message
s.com...

1. At MGW on an IMC day on takeoff from Runway 18 with terrain
obscured I was given the instruction "Cleared for Takeoff -- Turn Left
on Course" which is clearly contrary to the published departure procedure
and would take me into terrain.


They probably just said that because whatever you filed would mean a left
turn from a south departure to proceed on course. Turn left on course
doesn't mean you have to start a left turn as soon as your wheels are off
the runway. They can't deny you the DP, if a published IFR departure
procedure is not included in an ATC clearance, compliance with such a
procedure is the pilot's prerogative.



2. At JST on an ILS approach with weather intermittently below approach
minimums when I was inside the final approach fix I was given the
instruction "Alternate Missed Approach Instructions -- Proceed Direct
MGW" -- I was unable to confirm terrain clearance at such a busy time of
flight and the controller would not verify terrain clearance either (note
I was not on a vector and was below the MEA so he had no responsibility
for
terrain clearance at that point if I accepted the instructions). After
some on-air discussion, the controller finally gave me a "Center assigned
heading" which reflected that Center verified terrain clearance.


Did they arbitrarily send you to MGW, or did you tell them at some point
that you'd like to proceed to MGW in the event of a miss? Again, "proceed
direct MGW" doesn't mean you must start a left turn to MGW at the MAP.